Diagnosis Symptoms. Rejection-sensitive dysphoria, or RSD as it's known for short, is the over-reaction to real or perceived rejection. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria is characterized by an overwhelming feeling of rejection from a friend, family member, or other acquaintance. Me: I am perfectly perfectionistic; have the insight to realize that I seem to lack the ability to love men...rather I love the way they MAKE ME FEEL ABOUT MYSELF; I hate riding the rollercoaster of my self esteem that is solely based on how others see me or treat me...and I don’t know how to take back the control (assuming I ever had it); when I am treated unjustly, I can’t seem to simply shake it off...and as I rock back and forth with the effort to harden my pathetically soft heart, my mind races with thoughts of retribution until I unleash my verbal venom; I am highly intelligent (well, I have a ‘genius’ IQ, very little ‘common sense’, and low emotional intelligence), I’m a well-respected Nurse, can run Code-algorithms in my sleep, patiently hold the hand of the dying, teach new RNs so they actually understand the ‘why’ along with the ‘what’, and seem to have ‘tell me your troubles’ tattooed across my forehead, and lastly, even though my heart has been shredded (no, not by comments or passing rejection...by cheating husbands though I’m quite pretty), I am STUPID enough to still have hope that someone will truly love me one day. Some people who have talked about it describe it as the worst part of ADHD. If nothing else, this article has generated good discussions. Since these individuals experience more intense emotions, they may have a heightened response to any sense of rejection. I too, like so many others, came from a dysfunctional family, filled with loss, alcoholism and chaos. It's easier to just stay away. Just hide away so I don't have to deal with MAYBE being rejected. I was renting a room from a friend at the time, and she told people we were shacking up. I found this article after I had just overreacted to yet another simple nothing with my spouse. They may escalate conflicts with anger that feels out of proportion to the situation. I don't have BPD. Let’s say I read something directed toward me that isn’t really a rejection or criticism, but feels like it could be. My attitude toward mental health professionals and ADHD: I will trust their expertise once they have proven it to me and not before. In fact as well, ASD is a big part of it but not a part we can fix via any medication so I’d very much like to figure out the other stuff I feel is underlying first. I too come from a background of alcoholism, dysfunction, and abuse, but I also have Asperger's. Put simply, RSD is the pain of having to deal with perceived rejections. I'll keep this short. There’s a good reason that it hurts us so much! Also keeping it short. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria is characterized by an extreme emotional sensitivity to real or imagined rejection, a common comorbidity of ADHD and something autistic people suffer with to varying degrees independently of RSD or ADHD. It doesn't matter at all what your diagnosis is! So this, ironically, could further create situations where those with ADHD sense signals that they are being seen as "other," creating a vicious cycle. Everyone says the painting looks amazing as it is, but I can't let go of feeling like it's not perfect. Even one of my closest friends was even going to send me when he saw it. I will say the specialists say it does not work for everyone. But we can implement changes to society such as universal basic income, low-cost mental health care, and a more welcoming community; so that our livelihoods and emotional health are not left up to the tender mercies of relationship selection. Real people's lives. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria is characterized by an extreme emotional sensitivity to real or imagined rejection, a common comorbidity of ADHD and something autistic people suffer with to varying degrees independently of RSD or ADHD. Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) has not been included in the most recent DSM-5, published in 2013. It is my opinion that a balance approach to posting opinions on such forums may be in order. As I read, I found myself nodding in agreement: “That’s just like me.” At the end, I realized I was crying. And it just never stopped even till now. If money is a problem, call your local NAMI number and ask if they know of sliding scale clinics in your area. Why ADHD makes it hard to cope with rejection. The logical part of my brain tells me that I didn't do anything wrong, but the emotional side just overwhelms me with feelings of hurt and failure and feeling like why can't I get anything right when everyone else makes it look so easy? Many with the disorder agree that they are extremely sensitive to rejection, criticism, and failure. (Only I'm afraid to even try art therapy because of what people might think... seems silly. It doesn't matter if, in reality, I did not. Although rejection sensitive dysphoria is linked to ADHD and some other mental health conditions, anyone can experience extreme emotional sensitivity at being criticized or rejected. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria in Relationships. 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